Fostering Mental Wellness With Elevate

“I just want to live to see 18.”

This heartbreaking statement is one that many students have expressed to us during our ten years of Elevate. The sad reality is that many of our students are facing challenges in their day-to-day lives that we cannot begin to comprehend.

In addition to the ever-present obstacles of systemic inequalities, poverty, and marginalization of our underserved communities, we have found that:

• 22% of Elevate students are currently experiencing physical or mental pain from past or current trauma
• 13% have been victims of violent crime or gun violence
• 14% are currently experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity
• 64% have or have had a family member incarcerated

*Data based on 2024 results of our Student Growth Index through 1:1 mentorship.

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HOW ELEVATE PRIORITIZES MENTAL WELLNESS 

All of our Teacher-Mentors are certified social-emotional first responders and are trained in mental health response and trauma-informed care. This training helps our Teacher-Mentors to show up for their students in ways that meet their mental and emotional needs, providing a trusting adult relationship that many of our students do not have in their lives. As a result, our students now have the safety and security to open up about their past trauma and begin the healing process.

Elevate weaves mental health wellness throughout our mentorship model so our students know that they are safe, supported, and valued. As part of their Elevate experience, students get to open doors to discover new passions, face fears, and get out of their comfort zone. Our Sports & Adventure program blends physical and social-emotional learning by exposing students to first-time experiences such as camping, rock climbing, and team sports. Through Sports & Adventure, students can take healthy risks, succeeding and failing in a safe environment with trusted mentors and peers.

We also prioritize our students' mental health and wellness in the classroom. Our state-accredited curriculum provides character and life skills training that gives students the tools to interact with others in healthy, positive ways. And our holistic mentorship model allows our Teacher-Mentors to continue fostering authentic, long-term relationships with our students through 1:1 mentorship, home visits, and 24/7 support. 

Thanks to the supportive, empowering environment they find in Elevate, our students have reported feeling more confident to try new things, being selected to lead by their peers, and that they now have adult friends to lean on for support.

"There were times where I felt lost in my personal life, but having a mentor give advice, even if they don't know the full situation, has helped me get through tough situations."

-Brandon, Elevate & Early College Student

Finally, we have expanded our mental and emotional health services by partnering with organizations like the Rose Project during our community engagement events and bringing in in-class speakers to live Elevate classes. Through these collaborations, we aim to bring more mental health education to students and their families by exploring topics such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety and stress management
• Grief & loss
• Trauma & resilience
• Substance Use & Abuse
• Academic Pressure & Time Management
• Identity & Self-Exploration

With these powerful partnerships, we can make the conversation around mental wellness more accessible to all, giving our students and families the tools they need to thrive in and out of the classroom.

This is truly the mission of Elevate. By engaging in trusting and empowering relationships, our Teacher-Mentors strive to help students discover the potential to thrive in ways they never imagined.